Former VanCity Credit Union chair David Levi has built his company GrowthWorks Ltd. into the second-largest manager of labour-sponsored investment funds in the country. And now "three or four" civic-minded Vancouverites are suggesting he should take his talents to the mayor's office. In an interview Public Eye, Mr. Levi confirmed "folks who would normally be supporters of the NPA and Vision/COPE" have approached him about seeking the post "over the last few weeks." Characterizing the talks as "very preliminary," Mr. Levi said he told his suitors, "'That's interesting. And I'll think about it. I've got a lot of responsibilities where I am today. And I enjoy what I do. So it's something that I'll give some thought to.' But it hasn't gone much further than that."

Noting this wasn't anything he had "planned to think about," Mr. Levi said he'll be reviewing "the whole notion of what I think I can offer and what it would mean" to run for mayor before making a decision. "It would be a huge change in my life. And I really need to think about whether that's something I want to do." In 1990, Mr. Levi ran as a city council candidate as a member of the now defunct Civic New Democrat slate.